battery question

  • monkeydoodle
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battery question

22 Jun 2015 11:57
#677769
OK this is one for the electrical guys out there. Is it possible to use a gel or AGM battery instead of the regular lead acid on the KZ's without too much issue?
I was advised that if I was to use either a gel or AGM battery then I would have issues due to the charging system on the KZ being set up for lead acid....now this is completely over my head which I don't mind admitting.
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Custom Harley Chop
2004 Fazer 1000 with Ivans Full Monty kit
1980 Z750E (half way being re-born into a mix breed something)

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  • pete greek1
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Re: battery question

22 Jun 2015 12:44
#677772
Many people on here use them with no issues , just know that you'll have to get a special charger, you cant use a lead acid battery charger, but many have said they've gone over 2 yrs. without having to charge em
Pete
1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!

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  • loudhvx
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Re: battery question

22 Jun 2015 12:59
#677779
AGM and gel batteries are lead-acid batteries, so there is nor problem with using lead-acid battery chargers.

The issue comes when you switch over to a lithium type battery. Then special chargers are sometimes recommended.

batterystuff.com has a few options for AGM batteries that last really well. It's the Scorpion brand.
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  • Irish Yobbo
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Re: battery question

22 Jun 2015 21:07
#677829
Even some lithium types are fine, and can be charged with a normal charger. I use a SSB Powersport Lithium battery - 220CCA and 600g. Works a treat.
1981 KZ750 LTD

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  • monkeydoodle
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Re: battery question

22 Jun 2015 22:59
#677836
OK so the battery that is fitted as standard to my 750 is a 12V 12AH 160A - do I get the equivalent in AGM or GEL?

thanks again
Custom Harley Chop
2004 Fazer 1000 with Ivans Full Monty kit
1980 Z750E (half way being re-born into a mix breed something)

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  • bountyhunter
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Re: battery question

23 Jun 2015 00:08 - 23 Jun 2015 00:09
#677838
I think AGM is the best bang for the buck.

I run this one.

www.batterystuff.com/powersports-batteries/sYTX14AHL-BS.html
1979 KZ-750 Twin
Last edit: 23 Jun 2015 00:09 by bountyhunter.

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  • Tyrell Corp
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Re: battery question

23 Jun 2015 03:37
#677845
I like motobatt, the yellow gel ones. A bit early to say how long they last other than they have a better open circuit and cold cranking capacity. I think it is a YB12 for that, same as the 550's.
1980 Gpz550 D1, 1981 GPz550 D1. 1982 GPz750R1. 1983 z1000R R2. all four aces

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  • monkeydoodle
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Re: battery question

23 Jun 2015 05:08
#677852
Cheers guys spotted the motto batt on ebay , was told by my usual supplier that yuasa, leoch, varta and another manufacturer do not stock a gel or agm fir the kz750 as allegedly the battery requires a breather ??
Custom Harley Chop
2004 Fazer 1000 with Ivans Full Monty kit
1980 Z750E (half way being re-born into a mix breed something)

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Re: battery question

23 Jun 2015 08:36
#677882
O K. glad Loudvx caught that...I was having a Brain Fart...when you mentioned Gel, I was thinking Lithium, :blink: :blink:
1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!

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Re: battery question

23 Jun 2015 12:53
#677931
AGM is a sealed battery, so you do away with the breather and spill hose assembly. This is the main reason I switched over. The breather fumes, alone, can cause corrosion if there is even a slight scratch in the paint on the frame.

Some KZ's had battery indicator lights on the dashboard. That requires a sensor in the wet-cell battery to monitor the acid level. Since the AGM is sealed, you don't need that circuit anymore. If you have the sensor wire, it just gets connected to a switched-12v wire to stop the light from flashing (if your bike has that feature).

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Re: battery question

23 Jun 2015 13:12
#677936
thanks for the replies guys. One more question, can I use a smaller battery. Basically I want to try and get one that is physically smaller. I know that the KZ is a 12V and has 12 ha and 160 amps but could I go for something that is 12V and and has less ah and still be around 160A or is that not possible?
Custom Harley Chop
2004 Fazer 1000 with Ivans Full Monty kit
1980 Z750E (half way being re-born into a mix breed something)

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Re: battery question

23 Jun 2015 15:21
#677959
monkeydoodle wrote: thanks for the replies guys. One more question, can I use a smaller battery. Basically I want to try and get one that is physically smaller. I know that the KZ is a 12V and has 12 ha and 160 amps but could I go for something that is 12V and and has less ah and still be around 160A or is that not possible?
You can get the same A-hr and CCA with a smaller battery if you use lithium. But if you stay with lead acid, they will all be close to the same size and weight for a specific A-hr rating. You don't want to go down on A-hr or CCA, going HIGHER is always good, not lower.
1979 KZ-750 Twin

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